Omar Abukhlal
Presentation
Achieving European Sustainability Goals: The Role of Electric Motorcycles
Aerospace & Automotive Mobility
Wednesday, 3 September | Session 2 | 12:30 - 14:00
The European Union has set ambitious goals for phasing out new internal combustion engine (ICE) sales in Europe by 2035, and achieving Net Zero in terms of carbon emissions by 2050. Yet there are a number of fears that this scenario cannot be achieved. Practical challenges include the costs of changing over an entire passenger fleet within the EU; building out charging stations within cities, rural areas and highways; assuring enough automotive battery capacity; working with automotive manufacturers to change over to all-electric vehicles.
In this equation, the role of motorcycles has been largely overlooked. This is an oversight, given the large size of the motorcycle fleet in Europe, its role played in alleviating urban congestion, and the relative lack of investment in all-electric motorcycles, versus all-electric cars. In this presentation, Omar Abukhlal will outline the motorcycle market in Europe in 2025; the progress made towards electric conversion; and prospects for meeting the 2035 and 2050 goals.
Profile
Omar is a seasoned wealth management expert with over two decades in the global banking sector. Operating from Zurich, Switzerland, Omar is an esteemed Independent Wealth Manager at PrimeStone Partners AG, where he deploys his extensive expertise in catering to the needs of ultra and high-net-worth individuals (U/HNWIs).
His career path in the wealth management industry has exposed him to various regions, allowing him to build relationships on four continents. During his tenure at BCGE - Banque Cantonale de Geneve he was the Head of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) at their Zurich branch. Omar was pivotal in significantly amplifying the bank's business development efforts and client base. At BNP Paribas Suisse in Zurich, he played a key role for the Asian and Indian desks as Deputy Team Head, where he managed a client portfolio exceeding $ 400 million.
In his role as Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at GR1T Motorcycles, Omar will be responsible for strategic growth and development of the company, ranging from product development to manufacturing to commercial activities.
His foundational strengths - sales, relationship management, and negotiation - align seamlessly with the demands of this role.
An avid motorcycle enthusiast and rider, Omar has a range of contacts across the European automotive, motorcross and financial sectors that will serve GR1T well in determining portfolio strategies, cross-platform sponsorships, special editions and other promotions.
Omar holds a BSc in Business Economics from Queen Mary University of London, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from The Manchester Metropolitan University, and a Legal Practice Course from The University of Law.
This diverse educational backdrop further accentuates his comprehensive understanding of the startup ecosystem, making him an invaluable asset in any sales, negotiation, or relationship-driven role.